-546- Saotome Suzu

On the side of the training ground, Rozen remained completely unaware of the events unfolding.

Currently, Rozen was singularly focused on chasing the individual who was using "Invisibility Jutsu" technique to conceal themselves and was making a speedy escape.

Even though Rozen had applied the "Rigid Body" technique to himself, the other person was maintaining a speed comparable to Rozen's while using the "Invisibility Jutsu".

That's because...

"Besides 'Invisibility Jutsu,' they've also applied 'Swift Feet,' haven't they?"

Swift Feet was a form of magic that made the body agile, nimble, and swift, akin to the "Sprint" skill in a certain virtual game.

Swift Feet was considered a moderately difficult spell within the pantheon of spells. Even students in the academy were acquainted with it. So, it wasn't surprising that the person used this spell.

However, using "Swift Feet" on top of "Invisibility Jutsu" was a different concept.

Because, to maintain the effect of "Invisibility Jutsu," the person had to conceal both the magical power and spiritual energy fluctuations needed for "Swift Feet." This ensured that "Swift Feet" wouldn't affect the "Invisibility Jutsu" and vice versa, blending both spells to perfection, displaying exceptional skill.

In this scenario, the person swiftly vanished with astonishing speed. If it weren't for Rozen possessing both "Spirit Vision" and "Heaven's Eye" simultaneously, any other person would have let the individual slip away long ago.

Now...

"You're not getting away."

A talisman appeared in Rozen's hand.

"Order!"

Rozen shot the magical charm forward like a bullet.

In the next moment, the charm took effect, releasing a massive wood element.

However, this wood element swiftly transformed into lightning.

By modifying the spell script on the Wood talisman, it made the use of lightning possible—a technique Tsuchimikado Chizuru excelled in.

Rozen inherited this technique from Tsuchimikado Natsume, allowing Rozen to also benefit greatly and learn the usage of lightning from Natsume.

As for the well-known issue of controlling Lightning, from Rozen's perspective, who had perfected control over magical and jutsuryoku energies with the acquisition of "Mind's Eye," it was not a problem at all.

So, a dazzling flash of lightning burst forth from the original Wood talisman, transforming into a lightning bolt and streaking forward.

"Boom!"

The lightning struck a spot in the distance, causing ripples in the space.

In the rippling space, a barrier appeared, blocking the incoming lightning magic.

However, the user who deployed the barrier couldn't avoid appearing from within it and gradually lost their transparency, coming into Rozen's view.

Rozen could now clearly see the appearance of the person before him.

It was a petite figure, appearing to be of a similar age to Dairenji Suzuka, wearing the uniform of the Onmyou Academy.

The girl had short hair that only reached her ears, and the color of her hair seemed to be a mixture of white, silver, and gold. The uniform she wore seemed a bit ill-fitting, making her hide her hands in the sleeves, giving an awkward appearance.

However, the girl's face showed no emotion, as if nothing could stir her. While she maintained the barrier in front of her, blocking the lightning, she spoke.

"I was exposed, huh?"

The girl's voice matched her appearance, devoid of any enthusiasm.

Perhaps realizing she couldn't easily escape Rozen's view, the girl stopped, standing there quietly, looking at Rozen who had caught up.

"Hoo."

Due to running for some time, Rozen's breathing had become somewhat erratic.

Even though he had displayed his might in the training ground a moment ago, stamina remained Rozen's weakness, as he admitted. This was some kind of price to pay.

But Rozen wouldn't show any weakness in front of the other person.

"Who are you?"

Rozen straightforwardly posed this question.

"Although you're wearing the Onmyou Academy uniform, you're not a student of the academy, are you?"

Rozen asked while calming his breathing, formulating this question.

However, the girl seemed unaffected by Rozen.

"Wrong."

The girl merely said that.

"Wrong?"

Rozen frowned.

"Yes." The girl nodded and succinctly stated, "I am indeed a student of the Onmyou Academy, sort of your senior."

"Senior?" Rozen was surprised and looked at the petite figure before him, almost blurting out, "Are you kidding?"

Seeing the girl's appearance, which was not much different in age from Dairenji Suzuka, how could she possibly be Rozen's senior?

Rozen thought so.

However, the girl made this inexplicable reply.

"Because I like young girls."

The girl said this.

"Huh?"

Rozen was completely stunned.

"Can't you hear me?" The girl stared directly at Rozen, her face suddenly serious and earnest, saying, "Because I like young girls, I've turned into a young girl."

A hesitant smile formed on Rozen's lips.

"So that's how it is."

Rozen awkwardly laughed, but there was no amusement in his eyes.

"Are you messing with me?"

Rozen could only think of this possibility.

However, facing Rozen's somewhat annoyed expression, for some unknown reason, the girl showed a disdainful look.

In that manner, it was as if she were saying, [ You don't even know how great young girls are; are you really the genius everyone should revere? ]

"You don't even know how great young girls are; are you really the genius everyone should revere?"

Just as Rozen was thinking this way, the girl directly said the phrase he had thought of, word for word, without deviation.

"Did you use mind-reading jujutsu on me?"

At this moment, even Rozen couldn't help but say this.

And seeing that the girl seemed to be prepared to say something, Rozen immediately cut her off.

"Stop the nonsense! Tell me! Who are you? Why are you scheming against me behind my back!"

Without hesitation, Rozen asked.

Feeling that if he let the other person continue talking, the topic might stray far and wide, eventually causing Rozen to feel completely discouraged and defeated, so Rozen decisively interrupted the girl's rhythm.

In response, the girl seemed somewhat displeased, though her face remained expressionless.

"I didn't scheme against you," the girl said.

"I just wanted to confirm something."

Confirm what?

"Whether you are Yakou's reincarnation."

The girl coldly stated her purpose.

You see, Raven's Wing is a Shikigami that can choose its own master and only recognizes Yakou's aura.

"If you can successfully turn Raven's Wing into a curse item and restore its original form, it will prove that you are truly Yakou's reincarnation."

The girl spoke in this manner.

For this reason, the girl released Raven's Wing and didn't hesitate to hinder its actions, all to let it attach itself to Rozen.

As for the girl's identity,

"I've said it before, I'm your senior."

The girl calmly reported her name.

"You can call me Saotome Suzu."

——— "Saotome Suzu."

This is the girl's name.